Rock Creek Park Fall Colors

Although today's wind may have blown down all the leaves, last weekend Rock Creek Park still had some beautiful color left.  Always thankful to have such a beautiful spot so nearby.  

Shelburne Farms

A beautiful day for a gentle hike at Shelburne Farms, Vermont at the beginning of October.  The maple trees were just turning red, the light touching Lake Champlain was mesmerizing and the mountains in the backdrop calming. 

Little Devils Stairs - A Very Wet Hike

A few weeks ago, I hiked the aptly named Little Devils Stairs trail in Shenandoah National Park with a friend.  According to one website, there are 11 stream crossings of Keyser Run in the 2 miles (and a nearly 1,800 feet climb).  And after the torrential rain in the preceding days, not one of these crossings was passable using the usual rock-hopping method.  The stream was running fast and furious and all the rocks were at least partially submerged.  I ended up, for the most part, just walking straight through, with my feet wetter than I could imagine.  It was a cold and foggy (and eventually rainy) day, which made for slippery rocks but it was really beautiful.  A great pre-Halloween hiking adventure.